The Jefferson County Budget Committee held a Called Meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013 at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Griffith. A full committee was present, with Commissioner Musick in for Committee Member Baxley and Commissioner Barreiro in for Committee Member Blevins, along with Commissioners Dockery, Carmichael, Cureton, Akard, Beeler, Mills, and Maples.
Four citizens addressed the Committee regarding the proposed Jefferson County Megasite. Bruce Bell, Steve Hammer and Donna Myers Rayburn are property owners that spoke in opposition of the project, as well as Attorney Scott Hurley representing a large group of property owners. Hurley informed the Committee that those property owners that he represents are intent on maintaining ownership of their property and that a petition with signatures that represent 1250 acres of land in the area of the proposed Megasite is circulating.
Upon a Motion from Committee Member Akard and 2nd from Committee Member Cureton the Committee Approved the Minutes.
The Committee was presented with a Budget Amendment request from the Register of Deeds for a line item adjustment, which was Approved with a Motion from Akard and 2nd from Committee Member Maples.
The Committee entertained a funding request from the Jefferson County Economic Oversight Committee for initial funding for the certification of a proposed Megasite in Jefferson County in the amount of $442,311 for the current fiscal year (with plans to return for additional funding for the 2013-2014 fiscal year). EDOC Chairman Gantte addressed the Committee and presented the request. Mark Sweeney of McCallum and Sweeney gave a presentation regarding information on the proposed site and the success of other sites that were previously certified. EDOC Director Garrett Wagley presented the Committee with an Economic Impact Analysis from Younger Associates.
Committee Members were given time, by district, to address questions to Gantte, Wagley and Sweeney. Questions included identifying decision makers in the notification process (MoxleyCarmichael-Public Relations Firm), environmental testing process, amount of funding for various firms that have been employed by EDOC and eminent domain, as well as other issues regarding site certification.
Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri addressed the Committee in support of initial funding to allow time for more information to be available about the project.
Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton informed the Committee that there should be enough money in the Hospital Reserve Account by the end of the fiscal year to use that as a source of funding the requested $442,311.
Committee Member Beeler stated that he was opposed to eminent domain. He offered a Motion that any bills incurred before the press conference to announce the Megasite plan would be the responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce-2nd Musick and Passed Unanimously.
Beeler made a Motion to create an oversight committee that would consist of 5 members of the County Commission (3 coming from the Budget Committee) to be appointed by the County Commission Chairman and 3 member of the Industrial Development Board (sitting officers) to handle the finances of the project. 2nd Akard
Committee Member Maples offered an Amendment that would place committee appointments as the responsibility of the Full Commission Body-Amendment died for lack of 2nd-The original Motion Failed with Beeler and Musick voting Yes.
Beeler offered a Motion that no options could be bought on property until the property has been tested to be environmentally sound. 2nd Musick-Failed with Akard, Beeler, Musick and Barreiro voting Yes. Discussion surrounding the Motion confirmed that property owners are not required to allow environmental testing.
Committee Member Barreiro made a Motion that no tax dollars be spent on any project that requires eminent domain and that no money be spent until property owners come forward and state that land is for sale. 2nd Carmichael-Motion Failed with Maples, Barriero and Carmichael voting Yes. Questions regarding the scope and limitation imposed by the Motion were raised by the Committee.
Committee Member Dockery offered a Motion to Approve the requested $442,311 and fund the request from Hospital Reserve Funds. 2nd Akard-Passed 5-4 with Musick, Carmichael, Maples and Barreiro Voting No (Cureton was absent for the vote) The Meeting was Adjourned.
